THE 


-foS 


TRUE  MORMON  DOCTRINE 

Beitg  the  Professed  Aformon  "Articles  of  Faith,"  Completed  and 

Explained  hy  Literal  Quotations  from  Mormon  Publications. 

By  REV.  JOHN  D.  NUTTINQ, 

Secretary  Utah  Qojpel  Mission,  Cleveland,  0. 

(Pastor  In  Utah,  iSga-iSgS.) 

Mormonism  is  a great  farce  tragedy.  That  Joseph 
Smith  was  a conscious  and  wilful  deceiver  hardly  admits 
of  doubt.  Ilis  life  ended  in  a tragedj-,  as  likewise  did 
tho.se  of  most  of  his  followers ; and  Mormonism  has  been 
chiefly  a farce  of  doctrine  and  a tragedy  of  life  ever 
since.  And  there  will  be  no  end  to  the  sad  drama  of 
darkened  Mormon  souls  until  this  show  of  masked  un- 
truths is  clearly  expwsed,  both  to  its  victims  and  the  world. 

There  lie  before  the  writer  two  cards  of  Mormon 
“ elders,”  having  on  their  backs  the  so-called  “ .\rticles  of 
Faith  of  the  Church  of  Jesus  Christ  of  Latter-Day  Saints,” 
or  Mormons.  Now,  it  is  clear  that  a genuine  creed  must 
contain  all  the  essential  beliefs  of  the  system  which  puts 
it  forth,  and  none  which  that  system  does  not  reall3’  hold, 
hut  neither  of  these  things  is  true  of  this  creed.  In  all 
of  its  thirteen  articles  it  does  not  clearlj'  bring  out  even 
one  distinctive  Jlormon  doctrine,  while  it  does  lay  claim 
to  several  truths  which  are  distinctively  Christian  and 
radically  opposed  to  Mormonism.  This  creed  was  first 
published  by  Joseph  Smith  at  Nauvoo,  111.,  in  1S42,  in 
September  of  which  j-ear  he  fled  for  his  life — facts  which, 
taken  together  with  its  evident  character,  lead  many  to 
believe  that  it  was  put  forth  as  an  intentional  blind  for 
protection  from  popular  anger.  It  was  never  adopted 
formalh*  by  the  so-called  “ church  ” until  1S90 — a time 
when  recurring  dire  need  of  public  favor  may  have 
proved  a similar  motive  to  “ holj’  ” deception. 

It  is  time  that  everj'  one  should  know  both  these 
facts  and  the  real  teachings  of  the  Mormon  system,  so 
far  as  thej’  can  decently  be  printed.  For  it  is  these  be- 
liefs which  make  up  the  Mormonism  which  is  so  industri- 
ously seeking  to  replace  both  Christianitj-  and  free  gov- 
ernment bj’  its  own  evil  power.  In  the  following  pages 
Mormonism  is  allowed  to  speak  for  itself,  in  the  person 
of  its  greatest  prophets.  First  under  each  doctrinal 


2 — 


heading  is  given  the  “ Article  of  Faith  ” as  circulated  hy 
the  “elders;”  next  the  real  doctrines  as  taught  in  Utah 
to  their  own  people,  taken  word  for  word  from  their  own 
publications,  with  chapter  and  section  or  page  given. 
The  quotations  are  necessarily  short,  but  in  no  case  has 
the  sense  been  violated  in  omitting  words.  The  writer 
has  verified  most  of  the  quotaticnis  from  the  originals, 
and  knows  that  they  are  correct.  The  others  are  verified 
from  reliable  secondary  sources.  The  Deseret  News 
is  the  Mormon  church  paper. 

Last  under  each  subject  a few  Bible  references  will  be 
found,  giving  the  essence  of  the  Scripture  teaching  on 
the  same  topic.  These  should  be  carefully  studied. 

The  names  of  .some  of  the  Mormon  works  quoted  are  abbrevi- 
ated as  follows:  Book  of  Mormon,  B.  of  M.;  Doctrine  and  Cove- 
nants, D.  & C.;  Pearl  of  Great  Price,  P.  G.  P.;  ( these  are  the 
Mormon  sacred  books  ) ; Compendium  of  Mormon  Doctrine,  Comp.; 
Key  to  Theology,  Key  ; Jonroal  of  Discourses  (volumes of  Mormon 
sermons),  J.  of  D. ; Mormon  Doctrine  (for  Mormon  S.  S.  use), 
Mor,  Doc. 

THE  PROFESSED  DOCTRINE  OF  GOD. 

Art.  I.  We  believe  in  God,  the  Eternal  Father,  and 
his  Son,  Jesus  Christ,  and  in  the  Holy  Ghost. 

THE  REAL  DOCTRINE  OP  MANY  HEATHEN  GODS. 

I.  Many  gods:  “Are  there  more  Gods  than  one?  Yes, 

many.” — Catechism,  p.  ij.  2.  Gods  are  polygamous  or 
“sealed”  human  beings  grown  divine:  “ God  himself  was 

once  as  we  are  now,  and  is  an  exalted  "—foseph  Smith,  f. 
of  D.,  VI;  p.  4.  “ .And  j-ou  have  got  to  learn  how  to  l)c  Gods 
yourselves,  the  .same  as  all  Gods  have  done  before  \o\\.''—Jos. 
Smith,  J.  of  D.,  VI,  4;  Comp.  283.  “ Then  shall  they  be  Goris.” — 
Revelation  on  Polygamy,  P.  G.  P.,  trj.  (Sec  under  " .Man,”  p.  10) 
3.  Adam  the  God  of  this  world:  "He"  [Adam]  ‘‘ is  our 

Father  and  our  God,  and  the  only  God  with  whom  we  have  to 
do.” — Brigham  Young,  J.  of  D., I.  so.  4.  These  gods  are  poly g 
amous : "When  our  I'athcr  Adam  came  into  the  garden  of 

Eden,  he  came  into  it  with  a celestial  body,  and  brought  Eve, 
one  of  his  wives,  with  him,” — Brigham  Young,  J.  of  D.,  l.so. 
S.  They  have  fleshly  bodies:  "There  is  no  other  Go<i  in 
heaven  but  that  God  who  has  flesh  and  bones."— yor.  Smith, 
Comp.  287.  "Jesus  Christ  and  the  1-athcr  arc  two  jK-rsons,  in 
the  same  sense  that  John  and  Peter  are  two  persons  .... 
possessing  every  organ,  limb,  and  material  part  that  man  ]>os- 
scsses." — Key  42.  6.  They  have  children  forever:  "Each 

God,  through  his  wife  or  wives,  raises  >ip  a numerous  family 
of  sons  and  daughters : . . . for  each  father  and  mother 


I 


will  be  in  a condition  to  multiply  for  ever  and  cvct."—TA/‘  Seer, 
1.37.  “His  chief  glorj’  will  be  to  bring  to  pass  the  eternal  life 
and  happiness  of  his  posterity.” — B.  II.  Roberts,  .Vew  Il’ttness, 
462.  7.  The  Holy  Spirit  a iubstance : "The  purest,  most 
refined  and  subtle  of  these  sub.stances,  [as  electricity,  etc.]  is 
that  substance  called  the  Holy  Spiril." — Key  46.  8.  Subject  to 
law*  of  matter : The.se  gods  are  “ therefore  'subject  to  the 
necessary  laws  which  govern  all  matter.” — Key  44  and  46. 

BIBLE  TRUTH  ABOUT  QOD : Gen.  i:i;  John  4:24;  Dent.  64; 

Mark  12:29-32;  I Cor.  84;  Isa.  .40th  chapter. 

AS  TO  SIN. 

Art.  2.  We  believe  that  men  will  be  puni.shed  for 
their  own  sins,  and  not  for  Adam’s  transgressions. 

Sin  a necessity  : “ Adam  found  himself  in  a position 

that  corai>elled  him  to  disobey  one  of  the  requirements  of  God.” 
—J.E.  Tatmage,  Art.  of  F.  (1899),  6S.  “God's  plan  in  relation 
toman  was  that  he  should  fall.” — Fres.  Taytor,  Mediation  and 
Atonement,  487.  ” Was  it  necessary  that  Adam  sliould  partake 
of  the  forbidden  fruit?  A.  Yes,  unle.ss  he  had  done  so  he 
would  not  have  known  good  and  evil  here,  neither  could  he 
have  had  mortal  posterity.  . . . we  ought  to  consider  the 
fall  of  our  first  parents  as  one  of,  the  great  steps  to  eternal  ex- 
altation and  happiness,  and  one  ordered  by  God  in  his  infinite 
wisdom.  Q.  Hid  Adam  and  Eve  lament  or  rejoice  because  they 
had  transgressed  the  commandment  . . . ? A.  They  re- 
joiced and  praised  God.” — Catechism, 32, 33:  Comp.  4. 

BIBLE  TRUTH  : Matt.  15:19;  Jas.  1:13-15  ; I John  3:8;  Rom.  6:23. 

CHRIST  AND  THE  ATONEMENT:  BLOOD  ATONEMENT. 

Art.  3.  We  believe  that,  through  the  atonement  of 
Christ,  all  mankind  may  be  saved,  bj-  obedience  to  the 
laws  and  ordinances  of  the  Gospel. 

THE  MEANING  OF  THE  ABOVE. 

I.  Christ  the  son  of  Adam-god  and  Mary.  “ The  Father  had 
begotten  him  in  his  own  likeness.  He  was  not  begotten  by  the 
Holy  Ghost.  And  who  is  the  Father?  He  is  the  first  of  the 
human  family.” — Brigham  Young, J.  of  D.,  I;so.  2.  Christa 
polygamist.  ” We  say  it  was  Jesus  Christ  who  was  married  [at 
Cana,  to  the  Marys  and  Martha]  wherebj-  he  could  see  his  seed 
before  he  was  crucified." — Apostle  O.  Hyde,  sermon.  3.  The 
Atonement  does  not  save  souls  : ” The  Atonement  made  by 
Jesus  Christ  brought  about  the  resurrection  from  the  dead,  and 
restored  life.” — Taylor,  M.  &A.,  17S.  (See  B.  of  M.,  Alma 42:22.) 
The  atonement  ‘signifies  the  deliverance  . . of  the  earth  and 
everything  pertaining  to  it.  from  the  power  which  death  has 
obtained  over  them  through  the  transgression  of  -Adam.  . . . 

Redemption  from  personal  sins  can  onlj’  be  obtained  through 
obedience  to  the  requirements  of  the  Gospel  [Mormon  ceremo- 


— 4 — 


nies]  and  a life  of  good  works.*’ — Cotnp.yS^  g.  4.  Must  be 
baptized.  “ No  person  who  has  arrived  at  j^ears  of  accounta- 
bility, and  has  heard  the  Gospel  [Mormonism] , can  be  saved 
without  baptism.” — Catechism^  40.  “ Children  shall  be  bap- 

tized for  the  remission  of  their  sins  when  eight  years  old,  and 
receive  the  laying  on  of  hands.” — D.  & C.  68 : 27.  ‘ Will  all  the 

people  be  damned  who  are  not  latter-day  Saints?  Yes,  and  a 
great  many  of  them,  except  they  repent  speedily.” — Brigham 
Young,  J.  of  D.  I : jjg,  5.  Blood  Atonement  (formerly 
preached)  : ” IPHll  you  love  your  brothers  and  sisters  likewise 
when  they  have  a sin  that  cannot  be  atoned  for  without  the  shed- 
ding of  their  blood  ? . . . THAT  IS  WHAT  Jesus  Christ  MEANT 
[by  ” love  thy  neighbor  as  thj'self.”]  . . - I could  refer  you 

to  plenty  of  instances  where  men  have  been  righteously  slain  in 
order  to  atone  for  their  sins.  . . . The  tvickedness  and  ignor- 
ance of  the  nations  forbid  this  principle  being  in  full  force,  but 
THE  TIME  WILL  COME  WHEN  THE  LAW  OF  GOD  WILL  BE  IN  FULL 
FORCE.  This  is  loving  our  neighbor  as  ourselves : ij  he  needs 
help,  help  him  ; if  he  wants  salvation  and  it  is  necessary  to  spill 
Jiis  blood  on  the  earth  in  order  that  he  may  be  saved,  SPILL  IT. 
. . . THAT  IS  THE  WAY  TO  LOVE  MANKIND.”— .fir/ig-- 
ham  Young,  Tabernacle  sermon,  Feb.  8, 1857  ;J.  of  I).,  IV:  2ig,  220. 

BIBLE  TRUTH  : Eph.  2:8  ; John  3:16  ; John  14:23  ; Rom.  8:i-6 ; I 
Cor.  11:20-29  ; Rom.  4:25  ; Gal.,i:4;  Ex.  20:13.  ‘‘Thou  shalt  not 
kill.” 

ORDINANCES,  BAPTISM,  ETC. 

Art.  4.  We  believe  that  the  first  principles  and  ordi- 
nances of  the  Gospel  are  : First,  Faith  in  the  Lord  Jesus 
Christ;  second,  repentance  ; third,  baptism  by  iininersion 
for  the  remission  of  sins ; fourth,  laying  on  of  hands  for 
the  gift  of  the  Holy  Ghost. 

EXPLANATION. 

I,  “Faith  is  a principle  of  power,  in  fact,  the  foundation  of 
power.” — Catechism,  j7.  2.  Baptism  for  the  living  and  the 

dead.  (.See  under  .Art.  3.)  “ The  ordinance  must  be  performed 

correctly.  There  is  but  ‘ one  ’ baptism  . . Any  other  kind  of 
baptism  is  spurious  and  of  no  effect.  . . The  living  may  be 

baptized  for  the  dead.  . The  living  relatives  . stand 
in  the  name  and  place  of  the  departed  and  receive  the  ordinan- 
ces to  be  placed  to  the  credit  of  the  dead.  . . The  place  for 
these  administrations  is  in  a temple  built  to  the  Most  High 
God,  after  the  pattern  revealed.  . . The  fathers  in  the  spirit 

world  look  to  the  children  in  the  flesh  to  perform  for  them  the 
works  which  they  were  unable  to  attend  to  while  in  the  body.” 
— Mor.  Doc.  38,  40.  “All  the  spirits  who  have  not  obeyed  the 
gospel  in  the  flesh  [baptism]  must  either  obey  it  in  tl’.c  spirit 
or  be  damned.  '—Joseph  Smith,  J.  of  D.,  I'l : 7;  Comp.  2S4. 
3 How  to  get  the  Holy  Ghost.  “ There  is  a set  mode  by 
which  this  great  gift  fHoly  Spirit]  is  conferred  upon  mankind 


— 5 — 


. . . the  laying  on  of  hands  by  men  who  have  themselves 
received  it  and  have  been  called  of  God  and  ordained  to  admin- 
ister it." — ,1/or.  Doc.,  i6,  ly.  4.  Salvation  by  Faith  Evil. 

The  sectarian  doctrine  of  justification  by  faith  alone  has  ex- 
ercised an  influence  for  evil  since  the  early  days  of  Christi- 
anity."—y-  Talmage,  Art.  of  F.,  120,  (1899.) 

BIBLE  TRUTH  : Rom.  6:23;  Rom.  2:16-16;  II  Cor.  5:10,  ii; 

Gal.  6:7 

BLASPHEMOUS  AND  ENSLAVING  DOCTRINE  OF  THE 
PRIESTHOOD. 

Art.  5.  We  believe  that  a man  must  be  called  of  God, 
by  “ prophecy  and  by  the  laying  on  of  hands,”  by  those 
who  are  in  authority,  to  preach  the  gospel  and  adminis- 
ter in  the  ordinances  thereof. 

I.  The  Pr  esthood  a part  of  Qod : "Men  who  hold  the 
priesthood  possess  divine  authority  thus  to  act  for  God  ; and  by 
possessing  part  of  GckTs  power  they  are  in  reality  part  of  God.  . 

. . men  who  honor  the  priesthood  in  them  honor  God,  and  those 
who  reject  it  reject  God.” — Roberts,  .Vew  Witness  for  God,  iSy. 
3.  Dreadful  to  oppose  it.  “ I would  just  as  soon  think  of 
heaven  entering  into  chaos  and  of  the  throne  of  God  being 
shaken  to  its  foundation  as  to  think  that  the  Priesthood  of  the 
Son  of  God  had  gone  wrong  in  its  authority  or  that  the  I.ord 
would  permit  such  a thing.  . . It  is  a dreadful  thing  to  fight 
against  or  in  any  manner  oppose  the  Priesthood.” — Pres.  Geo. 
Q.  Cannon,  sermon  in  Tabernacle,  Aprils,  ’97.  3.  Its  author- 
ity unlimited:  "Their  priesthood  gives  them  the  right  to 

advise  and  instruct  the  Saints,  ar.d  their  juri.sdiction  extends 
over  all  things  spiritual  or  temporal."— 5erwo«  by  Pres.  Cowans, 
Logan  Journal.  May  26,  iS(jS.  "When  a man  says  you  may 
direct  me  spiritually  but  not  temporally  he  lies  in  the  presence 
of  God." — Deseret  Metos.  Apr.  25, '93.  " The  Priesthood  of  God 
. . . is  perfect,  and  perfect  obedience  is  required  of  a sub- 
ject whether  high  or  low,  rich  or  poor.” — Mil.  Slar.  14:2$^.  4. 
Requires  surrender  of  the  subject’s  private  judgment : 
“ Whatever  I might  have  obtained  in  the  shape  of  learning  by 
searching  and  study  respecting  the  arts  and  the  sciences  of 
men,  whatever  principles  I may  have  imbibed  during  my  scien- 
tific researches,  yet,  if  the  prophet  of  God  should  tell  me 
that  a certain  theory  or  principle  which  I might  have  learned 
was  not  true,  I do  not  care  what  inj'  ideas  might  have  been,  I 
should  consider  it  my  duty  at  the  suggestion  of  my'  file  leader 
to  abandon  that  principle  or  theory.” — Wilford  Woodruff ,J.  oj 
D.,  V;  8g.  “ If  Brother  Brigham  tells  me  to  do  anything  it  is 

the  same  as  though  the  Lord  told  me  to  do  it.  This  is  the 
course  for  you  and  every  other  saint  to  Apostle  H.  C. 

Kimball,  J.  of  D.,  1: 161.  “ The  Lord  has  not  given  the  members 
of  the  church  the  right  to  find  fault  with  or  condemn  those 
who  hold  the  Priesthood.” — Pres.  G.  Q.  Cannon,  Juv.  Instr., 


— 6 — 


29:745-  “ They  are  ansiveyahle  only  to  God.” — Dos.  Ne7vs,  Oct. 
^3i  ’95-  “ No  man  need  judge  me.  You  know  nothing  about  it^ 
whether  I am  sent  or  not ; furtliermore  it  is  none  of  your  busi- 
ness, only  to  listen  with  open  ears  to  what  is  taught  you  and 
serve  God  with  undivided  heart  " — Brigham  Young,  J.  of  />.,  It 
J4C.  (See  further  under  Arts.  12  a'nd  13.) 

BIBLE  TRUTH  : Heb.  7:18  to  25;  10:19-22;  Matt.  23:8-12;  Matt. 

7:15-20- 

CHURCH  ORGANIZATION. 

Art.  6.  We  believe  in  the  same  organization  that  ex- 
isted in  the  primitive  chnrch,  namely,  apostles,  prophets, 
pastors,  teachers,  evangelists,  etc. 

I.  Alt  ministers  and  Christian  Churches  frauds:  The 

ininistrj'  of  the  general  Christian  Church  is  " a spurious  priest- 
hood, destitute  of  divine  authoritj-,  divine  inspiration  and 
divine  power.  . . . set  up  bj-  ambitious  and  dc.signing  men 
. . . base  counterfeit  of  the  true  and  heavenlj- coin." — Mor. 
Doc.  p.  21.  " Such  persons  [ministers,  etc.,]  are  false  teachers, 

and  the  wrath  of  God  is  kindled  upon  them.'' — Catechism . p.  44. 
“ I was  answered  that  I must  join  none  of  them  [the  Christian 
churches],  forthey  were  all  wrong  . . . all  their  creeds  were 
an  abomination  in  his  sight ; that  those  professors  [the  church 
members]  were  all  corrupt."— /or.  Smith's  account  of  his  first 
vision,  P.  G.  P.,  89.  2.  Damned  for  being  baptized,  etc.  : 
“Any  person  who  shall  be  so  wicked  as  to  receive  a holj'  ordi- 
nance of  the  go.spel  from  the  ministers  of  the.se  apostate  [Chris- 
tian] churches  will  be  sent  down  to  hell  with  them,  unless  he 
repents  of  the  unholy  and  impious  act." — The  Seer,  Vot.  j and 
2,  P-  255- 

BIBLE  TRUTH  : Eph.  4:11-16;  Matt.  28:18-20;  Acts  8:4:  Acts  11:19- 
21;  Rev.  21:27;  Acts  6:1-6. 

MODERN  MIRACLES. 

Art.  7.  We  believe  in  the  gift  of  tongues,  prophecy, 
revelation,  visions,  healing,  interpretation  of  tongues,  etc. 

I.  Evidences  of  possessing  the  Holy  Spirit:  " Q.  What 
are  the  peculiar  manifestatiousof  the  Hoh-  Ghost  ? A.  .\niongst 
others,  vi.sions,  dreams,  prophecies,  speaking  in  divers  tongues, 
interpretation  of  tongues,  di.sccrnmcnt  of  ,spirits  and  angels; 
knowledge,  wisdom,  extraordinary  faith,  henlin,gs  and  miracu- 
lous powers,  . , , These  . . manifestations  of  the  Spirit 

alwaj's  follow  faith  in,  and  obedience  to,  the  Gospel." — Cate- 
chism, pp.  ./j,  44.  2.  A Pnphecy,  spoken  in  1838:  “Within 

ten  years  from  now  the  people  of  this  eountry  who  are  not 
Mormons  will  be  entirely  .subdued  In- the  l.atter-day  Saints  or 
swept  from  the  face  of  the  earth,  and  if  this  prediction  fails  you 
may  kno7V  that  the  Book  of  Mormon  is  not  t>  ue.” — Apostle  P.  P. 
Pratt.  3.  Prophecy  against  the  churches,  April  12,  1900: 
“ Inside  of  twentj-  years  the  walls  of  all  Protestant  churches 


— 7 — 


will  cave  in  and  their  ministers  will  all  have  to  go  out  and 
work  for  their  bread  or  else  starve  to  death.” — Elder  E.  Jensen, 
Eoston. 

BIBLE  TRUTH  : John  Rev.  13:11-17;  Rev.  16:13-14:  II  Thess. 

id  chapter;  John  :6:7-i5;  Oal.  5:16-15. 

THE  BIBLE  VS.  PRIESTLY  REVELATIONS. 

Art.  S.  \Ve  believe  the  Bible  to  be  the  word  of  Ood, 
so  far  as  it  is  translated  correctly  ; we  also  belive  the 
Book  of  Mornioii  to  be  the  word  of  God. 

I.  Foolish  to  believe  In  only  one  Bible  : “Thou  foot,  that 

shall  sa>’,  Bible,  a Bible,  we  have  got  a Bible,  and  we  need  no 
more  Bible.  . . . j’e  need  not  suppose  that  it  contains  alt  my 

words ; neither  need  ye  suppose  that  I have  not  caused  more 
to  be  written." — fi.  of  M.,  it  .\efihi.  ip.-6-io.  ‘ And  if  thou  shalt 

ask,  thou  shalt  receive  revelation  upon  revelation." — D.  and  C, 
(i:6i.  a.  The  Mormon  sacred  Books:  "We  consider  the 

Bible,  Book  of  Mormon,  Book  of  Doctrine  and  Covenants. 
Pearl  of  Great  Price  and  sayings  of  Joseph,  the  Seer,  our  guides 
in  faith  and  doctrine." — Comp,  preface.  3.  The  Bible  of  little 
value:  ".Add  all  this  imperfection  to  the  uncertaintj’ of  the 

translation,  and  who,  in  his  right  mind,  could,  for  one  moment, 
.suppose  the  Bible  in  its  pre.sent  form  to  be  a perfect  guide? 
Who  knows  that  even  one  verse  of  the  whole  Bible  has  escaped 
pollution,  so  as  to  convey  the  .same  sense  now  that  it  did  in  the 
original?” — .Apostle  Pratt,  Dii'ine  Auth.  of  It.  of  M.,  p.  21S. 
“ Not  a version  has  been  published  in  which  even  the  unlearn- 
ed cannot  perceive  errors." — Talmage,  A.  of  F.,141.  “ Many 

parts  which  are  plain  and  most  precious  have  been  taken  away 
therefrom." — /V«.  Taylor.  Med.  Cf  Ato.,  ir.  4.  The  priest- 
hood can  make  Scriptures  : “ Wilford  Woodruff  is  a prophet, 
and  I know  that  he  has  a great  manj-  prophets  around  him,  and 
he  can  make  scriptures  as  good  as  those  in  the  Bible." — Apostle 
J.  II'.  Taylor,  Conference,  Salt  iMke,  April $,  ’97.  " The  living 

oraeles  [priestb’  revelations  now]  are  worth  more  to  the  Latter- 
Daj-  Saints  than  all  the  Bibles,  etc.” — Apostle  M.  1C.  Merrill, 
Conference,  S.  L.  City,  Oct.,  iSgj.  5.  The  Bible  “nothing:” 
" Compared  with  t'.e  living  oracles  these  books  are  nothing  to 
me." — Pres.  ICilford  Woodruff,  same  conference.  6.  Some 
Mormon  revelations  from  the  Devil  : Jos.  Smith  said  in 

1S29,  speaking  bj'  “revelation”  of  his  own  “revelations”  : 
“ Some  revelations  are  of  God,  some  revelations  are  of  man, 
and  some  revelations  are  of  the  devil." — David  Whitmer,  one 
of  the  "Three  Witnesses"  to  B.  of  M.,  "Address,"  p.  yi. 

BIBLE  TRUTH  : Rev.  22:18-20;  II  Peter  1:19-21,  and  3:16;  I John 
4:1;  Gal.  i:6-q;  Rev.  22:18-20. 

.\rt.  9.  We  believe  all  that  God  has  revealed,  all 
that  he  does  now  reveal,  and  we  believe  that  he  will  yet 
reveal  many  great  and  important  things  pertaining  to 
the  kingdom  of  God.  ( See  under  7 and  8.) 


— 8 — 


Art.  io.  We  believe  in  the  literal  gathering  of  Israel 
and  in  the  restoration  of  the  ten  tribes.  That  Zion  will 
be  bnilt  upon  this  continent.  That  Christ  will  reign 
personally  upon  the  earth,  and  that  the  earth  will  be 
renewed  and  receive  its  paradisical  glory. 

Art.  II.  We  claim  the  privilege  of  worshiping  Al- 
might}^  God  according  to  the  dictates  of  our  conscience, 
and  allow  all  men  the  same  privilege,  let  them  worship 
how,  where  or  what  they  may. 

Brigham  Young’s  inspired  doctrine : “ I say,  rather  than 

apostates  should  flourish  here,  I will  unsheath  my  bowie  knife, 
and  conquer  or  die.  Now,  you  nasty  apostates,  clear  out,  or 
judgment  will  be  put  to  the  line.  . . I want  you  to  hear, 
bishops,  what  I am  about  to  tell  you:  Kick  these  men  out  of 
your  wards.” — Sermon  by  Brigham  Young,  J.  of  D.,  1 : 84. 

BIBLE  TRUTH:  (See  John  4:  23,  24.) 

RELATION  TO  CIVIL  GOVERNMENT. 

Art.  12.  We  believe  in  being  subject  to  kings,  pres- 
idents, rulers  and  magistrates,  in  obeying,  honoring  and 
sustaining  the  law. 

I.  The  priesthood  the  only  right  government:  “ The  priest- 
hood ‘ holds  ’ the  power  and  right  to  give  laws  and  command- 
ments to  individuats,  churche.s,  rulers,  nations  and  the  world  ; 
to  appoint,  ordain  and  establish  constitutions  and  kingdoms  ; to 
appoint  kings,  presidents,  governors,  or  judges.” — Key,  p.  70. 
“The  priesthood  will  bear  rule,  and  hold  the  government  of 
the  kingdom  under  control  in  all  things.” — Brigham  Young,  J. 
of  D.,  II.,  p.  i8g.  The  priesthood  “is  the  legitimate  rule  of 
God,  whether  in  the  heavens  or  on  the  earth,  and  it  is  the  only 
legitimate  power  that  has  a right  to  rule  on  the  earth  ; and 
when  the  wil’  of  God  is  done  on  earth  as  it  is  in  heaven,  no 
other  power  will  be  or  rule.” — Apostle  John  Taylor,  J.  of  D.,  V; 
iS6  and  on.  a.  Instructions  in  voting.  " The  question  with 
me  is  . . . when  I get  the  word  of  the  Lord  as  to  who  is  the 
right  man  [to  vote  for]  will  I obey  it,  no  matter  if  it  docs  come 
contrary  to  my  convictions?” — Pres.  Jos.  P.  Smith,  sermon  in 
Tabernacle  ; Des.  News,  Dec.  6,  1900. 

BIBLE  TRUTH:  Rom  13:1-7;  I Tim.  2:1-2. 

MORALITY  AND  VIRTUE. 

Art.  13.  We  believe  in  being  honest,  true,  chaste, 
benevolent,  virtuous,  and  in  doing  good  to  all  men  ; in- 
deed we  may  say  that  we  follow  the  admonition  of  Paul: 
“ We  believe  all  things,  we  hope  all  things,”  we  have  en- 
dured many  things,  and  hope  to  be  able  to  endure  all 


— 9 — 


things.  If  there  is  anything  virtuous,  lovely,  or  of  good 
report  or  praiseworthy,  we  seek  after  these  things. 

Brigham  Young's  Inspired  comment  in  1856:  “I  have 

many  a time,  in  this  stand,  dared  the  world  to  produce  as  mean 
devils  as  we  can.  tVe  can  beat  them  at  anything.  We  have 
the  greatest  and  smoothest  liars  in  the  world,  the  cunningest  and 
snosi  adroit  thieves,  and  any  other  shade  of  character  that  you 
can  mention.  We  caif  pick  out  ciders  in  Israel  right  here  who 
can  beat  the  world  at  gambling  ; who  can  handle  the  cards  ; can 
cut  and  shnflle  them  with  the  .smartest  rogue  on  God's  foot- 
stool. I can  produce  elders  here  who  can  shave  their  smartest 
shavers,  and  take  their  money  from  them.  We  can  beat  the 
world  at  any  game.  [Wiiv  and  now?]  We  can  beat  them  be- 
cause we  have  men  here  that  live  in  the  light  of  the  Lord ; that 
have  the  holy  priesthood,  and  hold  the  keys  of  the  kingdom  of 
God."— Brigham  }'onng,  reported  in  Des,  News,  vol.  6,  p.  291 ; /. 
of  D.,  /!  ',  p.  77. 

BIBLE  TRUTH  : Phil.  3 : 18,  19;  Gal.  5 : 19-21 ; Eph.  5:3-5. 


Here  the  professed  “ Articles  of  Faith  ” end,  without 
even  a mention  of  such  most  essential  doctrines  of  ]\Ior- 
monism  as  the  following : 

POLYGAMY  AND  MARRIAGE. 

E.xtracts  from  the  “ revelation,”  which  is  claimed  to 
have  been  given  in  1843,  but  was  denied  publicly  though 
practiced  privately  till  1852,  when  it  was  first  proclaimed. 

I.  Damnation  for  rejecting:  “For  behold,  I reveal  unto 
j-on  a new  and  everlasting  covenant ; and  if  j-e  abide  not  that 
covenant,  then  are  ye  damned.”  2.  Marriage  for  Eternity; 
becoming  gods:  “And  again,  verilj’  I say  unto  you.  if  a 

man  marrj-  a wife  . . by  the  new  and  everlasting  covenant, 
and  it  is  sealed  unto  them  . . it  shall  be  done  unto  them  in 
all  things  whatsoever  my  servant  hath  put  upon  them,  in  time 
and  through  all  eternitj',  and  shall  be  of  full  force  when  they 
are  out  of  the  world.  . . Then  shall  they  be  Gods,  because 
the}'  have  all  power,  and  the  angels  are  subject  unto  them.” 
2.  Polygamy:  “And  again,  as  pertaining  to  the  law  of  the 
priesthood:  if  a man  espouse  a virgin,  and  desire  to  espou.se 
another,  . . if  he  have  ten  virgins  giveti  unto  him  by  this 

law,  he  cannot  commit  adulter}-,  for  they  belong  to  him,  and 
they  are  given  unto  him,  therefore  he  is  justified." — Se*  P.  G.  P. 
pp.  i2j,  ij6.  “ If  plural  marriage  be  unlawful,  then  is  the 
whole  plan  of  salvation,  through  the  house  of  Israel,  a failure, 
and  the  entire  fabric  of  Christianity  without  foundation.”— 
Comp.  p.  12$.  “God  did  approve  of  a plurality  of  wives  as 
practiced  by  his  ancient  servants.  . . And  that  which  He 
approves  . . must  be  not  only  not  bad,  but  positively  good. 


— lO  — 


pure  and  holy.”— H.  Roberts,  Improvement  Era,  May,  i8^. 
“Those  who  denounce  patriarchal  marriase  wdl  hrve  to  stay 
without  and  never  walk  the  golden  streets.”— and  Polyg- 
amy, p.  1^8.  4.  Christ  a Polygamist.  (See  Art.  3.) 

BIBLE  TRUTH:  Matt.  19:4-6  and  references;  i Tim.  3:2,12; 
Deut.  17:17;  I Kings  ii  -.3  and  4 ; Lev.  18  : 18  margin. 


ORIGIN  AND  DESTINY  OF  MAN. 


I.  Born  in  spirit=world  and  came  here  for  bodies  : “This 
individual,  spiritual  body,  was  begotten  by  the  heavenly 
Father,  in  his  own  likeness  and  image,  and  by  the  laws  of  pro- 
creation. It  was  born  and  matured  in  the  heavenly  mansions. 

. . The  spirits  which  kept  their  first  estate  were  permitted  to 
descend  below,  and  to  obtain  tabernacles  of  flesh  . . in  our 
present  world,  and  which  we  will  call  a second  estate." — Kry,s6- 
57.  “ \t'e  came  to  this  earth  that  we  might  have  a body.  . . The 
great  principle  of  happiness  consists  in  having  a body.  The 
devil  has  no  body,  and  herein  is  his  punishment." — Jos.  Smith, 
Comp.  28S.  2.  Man’s  business  is  to  propagate:  “ You  are 

here  . . to  raise  families  and  properly  educate  them." — Pres. 

Lorenzo  Snow,  sermon,  £>es.  A'ews,  June  2,  1899.  (Speaking  of 
lawbreaking  polj’gamists  in  1899.  ) “ Their  love  for  the  increase 
of  their  posterity  is  of  such  a character  that  they  can  endure 
the  consequence  and  are  willing  to  go  to  prison  if  neces.sary  for 
it.  If  they  can  do  this  they  will  continue  to  have  children." — 
G.  Q.  Cannon,  sermon.  News,  Sept.  5,  ’99.  3.  Polygamists 

and  other  “sealed”  Mormons  become  gods:  (See  under 
Art.  I.)  “ Through  the  essence  and  power  of  tlie  Godhead, 
which  is  in  him,  ...  he  is  capable  of  rising  from  the  con- 
tracted limits  of  manhood  to  the  dignity  of  a God,  . . and  is 
capable  of  eternal  exaltation,  eternal  lives  [having  children 
forever]  and  eternal  progression."  — /’res.  yoAn  Taylor,  Med.  & 
A to.,  140. 

BIBLE  TRUTH:  Gen.  2 : 7 ; Ps.  8:4-5;  Gen.  1:27  with  I Cor. 
15 : 50. 

ABOUT  TITHING. 


I.  Motive  for:  “It  is  a day  for  the  tithing  of  my  people; 
for  he  that  is  tithed  shall  not  be  burned  at  his  coming." — D.  and 
C.,  64:23:  See  D.  and  C.,  sec.  119.  2.  Records  kept;  “A 

record  is  also  being  kept  of  all  people  who  are  not  tithe-paj-ers, 
so  that  it  might  be  known  who  are  faithful  and  who  arc  not." — 
Apostle  R.  Clawson,  Conference ; I).  A'ews,  Apr.  to,  /900.  3. 
How  used  : “ For  instance,  defraying  the  expenses  of  bring- 
ing the  Flldcrs  home  from  their  mission  fields,  for  the  carrj  ing 
on  of  tnissionarj’  work,  the  needs  of  tlie  poor  and  . . the 
debts  of  the  church.” — Apostle  Lund,  News,  eiug.  29,  '99.  4. 
The  tithing'books  are  the  Judgment-day  books  ; (Speak- 
ing of  tithing  records  in  his  office)  Presiding  nishop  Preston 
.said  “ that  we  should  be  judged  out  of  \hel>ooksand  that  all 
would  be  judged  according  to  their  works." — News  report.  May 
JO, '98.  5.  Stronger  law  is  coming.  “ The  people  . . will 


— II — 


have  to  conform  to  the  higher  law  of  consecration  [snrrcnder 
of  all  pro|x:rty]  before  the  redemption  of  Zion.’  — Pres.  /..  Snow, 
sermon,  J\'ews,  Oct.  8,  igoo.  6.  Joseph’s  doctrine  : “The 

doctrine  of  Brother  Joseph  is,  that  not  one  dollar  of  that  you 
possess  is  your  own  ; and  if  the  I,ord  wants  it  to  use,  let  it  go, 
and  it  is  none  of  your  business  what  he  does  with  it.  . . 
[Speaking  of  elder  not  paying  a loan  of  fi,ooo]  He  has,  per- 
haps, helped  that  poor  family  to  gather  with  it.  . If  you  mur- 
mur against  that  elder  it  will  pro\-e  your  damnation." — Brig- 
ham Young,J.of  D.,  I; 340. 

BIBLE  TRUTH  : Gal.  5:1  ; I Cor.  9:11  ; I Cor.  16:2 ; II  Cor.  9:6-8. 


COMPLETE  APOSTASY  OF  THE  CHRISTIAN  CHURCH. 

(Xo  church  or  gospel  or  possibility  of  salvation  for  any 
one  on  earth  during  the  1,700  years  from  the  Apostles  to 
Joseph  Smith.) 

“ 'When  what  was  left  of  the  form  of  Christianity  became 
allied  to  the  softened  paganism  of  the  Romish  Empire.  . . . 
The  Church  of  Christ  was  gone,  without  even  a shadow  of  its 
presence  to  be  seen  upon  the  earth.  . . . the  living  and  the 

dead  were  left  in  the  spiritual  darkness  of  centuries  of  apostasy 
to  wait  until  the  dawning  of  the  great  and  lastdi.spensation.” — 
Mor.  Doc.,  28,  2g.  " The  Gospel  of  Christ  having  been  taken 
from  among  men  and  divine  authority  lost,  the  only  way  of  re- 
gaining them  is  by  a reopening  of  the  heavens.” — New  lYil- 
ness  ; Ij6. 

BIBLE  TRUTH  ; See  Matt.  16  : 13-18. 


MISSIONARY  WORK. 


I.  No  sickness  or  death  for  elders  at  work ; must  go 
W'ithout  money  or  " grip:”  Elders  preaching  faithfully,  ‘shall 
not  be  weary  in  mind,  neither  darkened,  neither  in  body,  limb, 
or  joint,  . . and  they  shall  not  go  hungry,  nor  athirst.  . . 
Therefore  let  no  man  among  you  . . from  this  hour  take 
purse  or  scrip,  that  goeth  forth  to  proclaim  this  gospel  of  the 
kingdom.” — G. and  €.,84,80,86.  2.  Nowin  Europe:  “Elders 

over  there  began  to  receive  funds  from  their  parents,  with 
which  they  might  travel  and  see  Europe.  By  degp'ees  this 
fashion  has  grown,  until  now  it  is  almost  universal.” — Pres.  G. 
Q.  Cannon,  Tabernacle  sermon.  News  o/Aug.  23,1900.  (Seep.  10.) 

BIBLE  TRUTH:  Matt.  28  : 18-20  , Matt. 10  :l-i5;  Mark  6:7-12; 


Euke  22  : 35-36. 


» TESTIMONY.” 


BIBLE  TRUTH  : See  I John  4:1;  John  14:26;  John  16  : 7-15. 


CONCLUDING  REMARKS. 

The  reader  who  has  carefully  followed  the  above  quo 
tations  and  Bible  references  through  should  have  a fairly 
good  idea  of  what  Mormonism  is,  and  of  what  the  Bible 
teaches  on  the  same  points.  The  Bible  doctrine  is  cer- 
tainly true,  whoever  disbelieves  it ; and  all  that  is  con- 
trary to  the  Bible  is  false,  no  matter  who  believes  it,  or  how 


— 12 — 


sincerely,  or  what  pretended  proofs  may  bring  (See 
Deuf  n)  The  great  question  about- Mormonism  is, 
Sien  Does  it  agree  with  the  Bible  ? Only  one  answer  is 
Not  one  essen/ial do 

reconciled  with  the  Bible  ; all  are  contrary  to  though 
two  svstenis  may  agree  iu  some  minor  points.  Mo  e 
than  this^  Bvety  great  doctrine  of  Christianity  ts 
ieTi^or  falsified  by  Mormonism.  It  «««  Chnstian 
tor.ls,  of  course;  but  in  f 

S"' J »as  MaaXll'Ir  ia 

such  an  one  ; though  it  has  very  many  sincere  followers 
who  are  as  yet  far  above  its  own  level. 

Momion  leaders  have  tried  to  break  the  force  of  some 
of  the  above  quotations,  and  the  writer  has  positne 
information  that  they  have  issued  orders  to  burn  the 
volumes  of  their  own  publications  from 
4oV^ii  ^x’h(^uvver  they  can  be  had.  But  tne>  cannot  ue 
niade’away  with,  and  history  will  stand.  If  Bngham 

IfiiS^dhrnorspS^^^^ 

their  course,  then  they  were  not  sent  of  God,  batan, 

and  thrwhole  system  falls  with  their  claim  \\  hat  was 
true  Mormon  doctrine  then  must  be  equally  "°''‘ 
Mornionisni  cannot  go  back  on  itself  at  convenience,  but 
niiist  stand  or  fall  by  the  utterances  of  its  great  leaders. 

If  any  reader  of  these  lines  has  hitherto  counted  him- 
self a Mormon,  let  the  writer  earnestly  entreat  him  to 
ask  himself  whether  or  not  he 

above  ciuoted,  as  better  than  the  pure  truths  of  the  Bit)  e 
and  good  reason.  There  can  be  no  peace 
♦ ^ to  all  eternity.  Mormonisin  is  at  war  with 

God  and  with  his  Word,  and  will  be  forever 
his  presence;  though  many  of  '.1® 

lowers  will  doubtless  be  saved  so  as  by  fire,  in  spue 
of  its  debasing  influence.  Let  every  soul  stand  on  the 
side  of  God  ani  His  Word,  in  spi^e  of  all  opposition,  for- 
ever ! 

--ss^flisigs 

assorted  leaflets,  loc.  Help  spread  the  truth.  Ua“- 


, 1901.I 


